74 



DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 



able to concentrate on sampling the party boat catch 

 for specific breakdow n of the catch. The skiff, pier, 

 shore casting, surf netting, and skindiving methods 

 likewise will be assessed by the project. 



Since Februar\", 1958, the biweekly coastal coverage 

 has evolved into a sampling procedure involving turn- 

 over rate of fishermen determinations, obtaining inter- 

 view data from fishermen, sampling the catch of those 

 who completed fishing at these turnover localities, 

 aerial counts from state-o\\ned airplanes, and estab- 

 lishment of a volunteer log system for skiff rental and 

 launching concessions, private shorelines and state 

 parks. 



SPECIAL ACTIVITIES 



During the biennium the biostatistical unit was re- 

 organized to facilitate closer working relationships 

 with the biological investigations. The reorganization 

 included the establishment of a technical assistance and 

 biometrical analysis section. This section assists in the 

 analysis of existent biological data and in the design of 

 data collection and sampling methods compatible with 

 statistical evaluation. 



Tabulation of regular commercial catch reports was 

 continued. This information provides the basis for 

 publications and is used to answer requests from the 

 Legislature, the commission, and the public. Such data 

 are indispensable for the management of marine re- 

 sources. 



Other departmental needs for tabulated reports were 

 fulfilled as requested. Angling questionnaires for both 

 inland and ocean fishing were tabulated. Striped bass 

 logs. Lake Merced post card questionnaires, and de- 

 partmental training records were among scheduled 

 reports. 



Requests for figures have been fulfilled for inter- 

 national agencies such as the International North 

 Pacific Fisheries Commission, International Pacific 

 Halibut Commission, and the Inter-American Tropical 

 Tuna Commission. The United States Fish and Wild- 

 life Service continued to make use of our records for 

 their biological investigations and for its fisheries 

 market news section. 



Processing procedures for marine sport catch rec- 

 ords were modified to make greater use of the ac- 

 counting machines. Preparation and distribution of the 

 monthly party boat sport catch letter was incorporated 

 into the program of the biostatistical unit. With assist- 

 ance from the sport fish investigation, these summary 

 figures were in the hands of the sportsmen, party boat 

 operators, and interested individuals about 30 days 

 after the end of each month. 



PUBLICATIONS 



The staff issued four publications during the bien- 

 nium. Statistical Circulars 31 and 32 presented the an- 

 nual statistics of fresh and canned fishery products for 

 the years 1956 and 1957. 



Aerial photos of kelp bed off El Capitan Point, Santa Barbara County, 

 taken three years apart. In May, 1955, the kelp bed grew solidly 

 around the point as shown in above photo taken at 7,200 feet ele- 

 vation . . . 



Fish Bulletin No. 104, entitled "A Review of the 

 Rockfishes of California (family Scorpaemdae)" pre- 

 sented the first comprehensive report in history on the 

 52 members of this fish family that are known to in- 

 habit the ocean off California. Each of the 52 kinds was 

 illustrated and detailed information was given on meas- 

 urements and other means used in distinguishing them 

 from each other. 



Fish Bulletin No. 105 included the complete com- 

 mercial fishing catch landed in California as well as all 

 fish shipments that were processed in California. This 

 record covered the years 1955 and 1956. "Rockfish 

 Review" by J. B. Phillips, was the article included in 



